Abstract: The present invention relates to the direct use by addition of drilling gravels residue from the oil exploration and production activities in the formulation of culture medium of unicellular organisms, increasing its growth rates, intensifying the CO2 biofixation, and generating value to this residue from of productivity gains expected by autotroph and mixotroph organisms (cyanobacteria, microalgae and macroalgae), as well as the production of bioproducts that can be generated through the concept currently described in the literature as biorefining. Algae are cultured using drilling gravel suspended in the culture medium together with the ability to grow by absorbing CO2.

Abstract: The present invention addresses to the production of an organomineral fertilizer consisting of a mineral matrix, drilling gravel and an organic matrix, algae biomass. Algae are cultivated using drilling gravel suspended in the culture medium together with their ability to grow by absorbing CO2, and, in the case of cyanobacteria, they fix atmospheric nitrogen in their biomass. The gravel provides a set of additional nutrients present in its composition to the conventional nutritional chemical compounds for algae. In this way, the gravel can be mixed with the culture medium in the cultivation of algae, generating the organic matrix to be formulated and commercialized in the national and international agricultural market as an organomineral fertilizer, and, in the case originating from the organic matrix of cyanobacteria, there is the enrichment with nitrogen obtained biologically, without the high energy expenditure typical of traditional synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cultivation of microalgae for the production of biofuels. In this scenario, the present invention provides a vertical flow agitation system for microalgae culture tanks comprising: a source of energy generation (1); an energy storage device (2); a control system (3); an electric motor (4); at least one end of travel sensor (5); an agitation plate (6); a torque transmission system (7); and at least two lateral drive elements (8).

Abstract: Aspects are provided in relation to devices and systems for microorganism cell wall disruption. In this scenario, a device is provided for cell disruption of a microorganism suspension comprising (i) an inlet duct (1) of microorganisms, (ii) an annular channel (13) downstream of inlet duct (1) and in communication therewith, adapted for disruption of microorganism cells, the annular channel (13) being formed by an external part (7) and an internal part (8), the internal part being positioned inside the cavity formed by the external part (7) and (iii) an outlet duct (9) downstream of annular channel (13) and in communication therewith, for output of the ruptured microorganisms. A method is further provided that is associated with the device described above.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of carboxylic acid esters compounds, biodiesel (B) from microalgae, for use as a biofuel for compression type ignition. The objective is achieved through a hydroesterification process of a microalgae biomass (MU) comprising a hydrolysis stage and the esterification stage by means of heterogeneous catalysis. The wet microalgae biomass (MU) is the result of a process of cultivation concentration and is hydrolyzed directly in a hydrolysis column (20). Fatty acids (C), water (A) and raw glycerin (G) are obtained following the hydrolysis. The fatty acids (C) are esterified by reactive distillation in the presence of an impregnated heterogeneous catalyst (I).

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of carboxylic acid esters compounds, biodiesel (B) from microalgae, for use as a biofuel for compression type ignition. The objective is achieved through a hydroesterification process of a microalgae biomass (MU) comprising a hydrolysis stage and the esterification stage by means of heterogeneous catalysis. The wet microalgae biomass (MU) is the result of a process of cultivation concentration and is hydrolyzed directly in a hydrolysis column (20). Fatty acids (C), water (A) and raw glycerin (G) are obtained following the hydrolysis. The fatty acids (C) are esterified by reactive distillation in the presence of an impregnated heterogeneous catalyst (I).

Abstract: This invention describes a process for the production of biodiesel from the alcohol esterification of free fatty acids, resulting from the refining of vegetable oils, rejects of industrial and frying oils, and animal fats and organic sewage, using niobic acid as a solid acid catalyst.